Alexander Zverev has reached the semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid. With a strong performance, the world’s number three prevailed over John Isner.
The spectator terraces were not yet completely filled, already there were hard impacts on both sides. Zverev and Isner didn’t give themselves any nauseation at the start of the new Miami final and could rely on their serve.
Long rallies were no indication in the match of the service giants and Zverev tried again and again to move the big American on the opposite side and to bring out of balance. The forehand of the German ran smoothly and caused a lot of damage on the other side.
Isner stumbled out of the half-field with the balls and so Zverev got the first chance for a break at 3-3, which the 21-year-old used for a 4-3 lead. It was the first break Isner had to take in Madrid this week.
Zverev lost only one point on his own serve in the first run and delivered an impressively quiet performance. Consequently, the world’s number three took the first set 6-4.
In the second run, the German number one remained focused and served bravely. Both players scored in vain by direct winning strokes and chances for a break, looking for the spectators in the Caja Magica up to the score of 4:4.
Zverev then worked his way up a break point that Isner could fend off with a cracking ace. The next chance in Isner’s next service game was not missed by Zverev, who took the lead 6-5.
Victory on the bat was well served by Zverev, who reached the semi-finals with a strong, focused and ripped-off performance and is thus among the top four players in the third Masters tournament in a row.
In the third quarter-finals in Madrid, two hopeful players met for the future. 19-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov and Briton Kyle Edmund had a great fight with top-class tennis.
The second and third rounds in particular caused the spectators to jump up from their seats in rows. After Shapovalov won the first round with 7:5, Edmund fought back in the second and equalled in the tiebreak with 8:6.
The third pass should be one for the history books. The youngest player of all times has reached the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters with a 6-4 win for Shapovalov.